With 54 points, relegation now looks impossible and Sheridan heaped the praise on his players.

The boss moved McAleny to the bench last night but was ecstatic to see the 25-year-old score for the first time since he took charge.

Sheridan said: “It was a magnificent goal and I’m chuffed to bits it was Conor who scored the goal.

“He’s had a bit of a difficult time. He beats himself up too much because he has quality in his game and I hope that gives him a big lift.

“Conor wants to be in the team and scoring goals. He is the type of player I’d have liked to have played with.

“He’s a very intelligent player and I don’t think we have played to his strengths.

“It’s been about us grinding results out since I came in and the lads have done it brilliantly. We can have a bit of freedom now and I’d love us to pass the ball a lot better and create a lot of chances.

“But the players haven’t half done well to get us where we are and make us a League One club next season.”

Keeper Alex Cairns made it six clean sheets from a possible nine under Sheridan with some crucial stops from Wes Thomas.

The head coach added: “To tell you the truth I did not enjoy watching the game. I thought Oxford where the better team.

“We have had one or two chances, good chances, but it was a very scrappy game and I was disappointed in the way we played but I’m not going to moan too much.”